Peach feeding and slicing means

ABSTRACT

In combination: feeding means for serially feeding a plurality of peach halves to a predetermined first location and slicing means at said first location for cutting each of said peach halves into a plurality of slices, said slicer means comprising a plurality of rotary blades lying in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from said first location. The blades engage the peach halves and transport said halves from said first location to a second location while said halves are being cut.

United States Patent 1 Amori 51 Feb. 20, 1973 [54] PEACH FEEDING AND SLICING MEANS [76] Inventor: Joseph A. Amorl, 1270 Pine Avenue, San Jose, Calif. 95125 [22] Filed: Nov. 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 93,071

[52] US. Cl ..99/538 [51] Int. Cl. ..B26d 4/04, A23n 15/00 [58] Field of Search.....l46/72, 73, 78 R, 99; 83/677, 83/678 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 553,271 1/1896 Stewart ..l46/99 1,244,038 10/1917 Drew ..l46/99 X 2,021,300 11/1935 Gardner 146/99 3,590,695 7/1971 Gerard ....83/678 X 1,487,905 3/1924 Walton ..l46/78 R 2,012,489 8/1935 Walter ..146/78 R 2,442,210 5/1948 Quinn ..l46/78 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 999,741 7/l965 Great Britain ..l46/78 R Primary ExaminerWillie G. Abercrombie Attorney-Naylor and Neal [57] ABSTRACT In combination: feeding meansfor serially feeding a plurality of peach halves to a predetermined first location and slicing means at said first location for cutting each of said peach halves into a plurality of slices, said slicer means comprising a plurality of rotary blades lying in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from said first location. The blades engage the peach halves and transport said halves from said first location to a second location while said halves are being cut.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB201975 SHEET 1 BF 5 I m dd PATENT) 3,717. 087

SM 2C? 5 v I (9' m LL I v i ATTOR NEYS PATENTED FEB20 I973 3,717, O 8 7 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A AMORI BY {ATTORNEYS PATENTED FEB20 I973 SHEET S 0F 5 NWT moi

, v INVENTOR.

JOSEPH A. AMORI BY gfi [ATTORNEYS PEACH FEEDING AND SLICING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the art of fruit handling, and more particularly, to improved apparatus for cutting peach halves into a plurality of slices.

It is known in the prior art to provide mechanisms for cutting peach halves or the like into a plurality of sections. Such prior art mechanisms are characterized, however, by their relative inflexibility insofar as their ability to accommodate different sized fruits or effect different sized slices is concerned. In addition, many prior art devices are of relatively complex and expensive construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved peach feeder and slicer which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a peach feeder and slicer which may be readily adjusted to form different sized slices and/or accommodate different fruit sizes.

These and other objects have been attained in accordance with the teachings of the present invention by providing an improved feeding and slicing apparatus for peach halves or the like including means for serially feeding a plurality of peach halves in an oriented condition to a predetermined first location and means at said first location for cutting each of the peach halves into a plurality of slices. This cutting or slicing means comprises a plurality of rotary blades lying in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from said first location, said blades being adapted to engage the peach halves and transport them from said first location to a second location while the halves are being cut. The blades are mounted for independent rotatable movement with respect to one another with a predetermined number of the blades rotating so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of the peach halves as they are transported from said first location to said second location. A lesser number of the blades are rotated so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a generally opposite direction. Such an arrangement insures a better cut, tends to hold the peach halves down, and by controlling the knife speeds the length of out time can also be controlled. Adjustment means is provided for adjusting the relative placement between the blades so that varying slice configurations may be attained and different fruit sizes may be accommodated by the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-noted and other objects of this invention will be understood from the following description taken with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are elevational and plan views respectively of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, including the feeding and slicing portions thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are elevational end views taken in opposite directions showing details of the feeding portion of the apparatus.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are elevational end views taken in opposite directions showing details of the slicing portion of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus receives pitted peach halves or the like and is utilized to cut said halves into a plurality of slices. In a manner which will be described in greater detail below, the apparatus serves to orient peach halves, place them into alignment, and cut them into slices.

The orienting mechanism is generally designated in the drawings by means of reference numeral 10. The orienting mechanism comprises a frame assembly having disposed thereon and mounted for oscillatory motion with respect thereto a shaker table 12. The frame assembly is comprised of a plurality of interconnected vertical elements 14 and generally horizontal elements 16. Affixed to the frame assembly elements as shown are platform means comprising support members 18 and associated cross brace members 20.

Projecting upwardly from support members 18 as illustrated are bearings 22 which rotatably support therein a drive shaft 24. Secured to drive shaft 24 are two pairs of eccentrics 26, 26 and 28, 28, respectively. Eccentrics 26 are disposed degrees out of phase with eccentrics 28 for the purpose which will be described below. Connected to eccentrics 26 and extending outwardly therefrom as shown are pitman arms 30 which are pivotally connected at the other ends thereof to shaker table 12 as by means of connector pins or the like. It will be appreciated that pitman arms 30 impart a reciprocative motion to the shaker table upon the rotation of the eccentric cams in a well known manner. Providing support for shaker table 12 on the frame assembly are four support arms 32 which provide pivotal interconnection between shaker table 12 and support members 18. It should be noted that support arms 32 are disposed in pairs at each-end of the shaker table to give a tilt or angular disposition to the table. A suitable form of pivotal interconnection such as pivot pins or the like are provided to connect support arms 32 to both shaker table 12 and the support members 18.

Four additional support arms 34 are also pivotally mounted on support members 18 and project upwardly therefrom in the manner shown. Pivotally connected to the upper ends of each pair of support arms 34 associated with each of the support members are counterweights 36. A pitman arm 38 is connected to each of the counterweights 36. The other ends of the pitman arms 38 .are affixed to eccentrics 28. It will be appreciated that as shaft 24 rotates, eccentrics 28 will serve to move counterweights 36 in a direction generally opposite to that imparted to shaker table 12 by the operation of eccentrics 26.

The drive train for rotating drive shaft 24 comprises a sheave 40 mounted on the drive shaft, a belt 42, and a drive pulley 44 which is connected to the output shaft of a motor 46. Motor 46 is mounted on one of the frame assembly generally horizontal elements 16.

Shaker table 12 includes two converging side walls 50 and rear wall 52. Extending upwardly from side walls 50 are two vertically disposed interior side walls 54 which together with said side walls 50 define an open-topped fruit orienting channel 56. Angularly disposed baffle plates 58 provide a smooth interconnection between one end of interior side walls 54 and side walls 50. That portion of the shaker table disposed between baffle plates 58 and rear wall 52 may be thought of as the hopper section thereof. In practice, fruit halves are disposed in a random manner in said hopper section with oscillation of said shaker table serving to urge said fruit halves toward the baffle plates. Fruit orienting channel 56 is of a size permitting the passage of only one fruit half at a time, said fruit halves being serially placed on edge by said angularly disposed baffle plates. In FIG. 2 several representative fruit halves are shown in dotted line fashion and are designated by means of reference numeral 60.

Due to the oscillatory motion of the shaker table and the general inclination thereof, fruit halves 60 move in a serial fashion in said orienting channel toward the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As the fruit exits from the fruit orienting channel 56 it is in engagement with a pair of elongated baffle plates 62 which converge inwardly as shown to define a generally V-shaped configuration of increasingly smaller dimensions as the fruit proceeds toward the right. Due to the configurations of the elongated baffle plates 62, the fiat side of each fruit half tends to engage same as the fruit exits from the fruit orienting channel. As the plates converge, the fruit is gradually positioned with the flat side thereof disposed in a downwardly direction with the fruit exiting onto flat plate 64.

Under the influence of gravity and the oscillatory movement of shaker table 12, the peach halves or the like slide from flat plate 64 onto an endless conveyor belt 66. The conveyor belt is mounted upon two rollers 68 which are rotatably journalled in any suitable fashion on second frame assembly 70. One of said rollers 68 has secured to the end thereof a sheave 72 about which a belt 74 is disposed. The other end of the belt 74 is positioned about a pulley 76 affixed to the drive shaft of a conveyor drive motor 78. Motor 78, in turn, is positioned on an adjustable motor mount 80 which is secured to assembly 70. The conveyor belt 66 is rotated by drive motor 78 in a clockwise direction so that the upper run of the conveyor belt moves from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1.

Disposed on either side of conveyor belt 66 are generally L-shaped housings 82 (FIG. which extend a substantial distance along the length of the belt. In the vicinity of the belt, the L-shaped housings 82 have downwardly turned lips 83 formed thereon. Secured to lips 83 and extending therebetween is a plate 84 which is disposed under and serves as a support for the upper run of the conveyor belt 66. Affixed to plate 84 and extending over conveyor belt 66 as shown is a fruit half centering device which is in the form of a plurality of elongated generally funnel-shaped elements 86 disposed serially along the conveyor. Each of the elements 86 is in the form of an open-ended housing comprised of a pair of angled upwardly extending side walls 90 joining to form an inverted V-shaped cross-section, the dimensions of said V-shaped cross-section decreasing in the direction of the path of movement of fruit halves on said conveyor. The largest portion of elements 86 cover the full width of the conveyor while the narrow portion thereof defines an opening of a size approximating that of a fruit half. It will best be appreciated that as the conveyor 66 moves the fruit half toward the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the converging walls of elements 86 will provide lateral adjustment or centering of the fruit halves to place them into alignment. Such alignment is necessary for proper functioning of the apparatus slicing mechanism which will be described in greater detail below. By disposing elements 86 in a generally serial fashion along the conveyor belt with the narrow end of the leading element disposed in the wide end of the following element proper centering of the fruit halves may be maintained for any desired length of conveyor. The converging V- shaped configuration of elements 86 has been found to be particularly efficient insofar as centering of fruit halves is concerned. The substantially straight side walls 90 readily accommodate .varying sizes of fruit halves and are efficient in effecting the proper alignment thereof.

In addition to the aforementioned fruit half centering structure, second frame assembly has associated therewith slicing means for cutting each of the conveyed peach or other fruit halves into a plurality of slices. This structure will now be described in detail.

Mounted on the side of second frame assembly 70 opposite to that occupied by the fruit centering mechanism are two spaced walls of generally semi-circular configuration 94 and 96 (FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6). Wall 94 has an aperture 98 formed at the bottom thereof through which conveyor 66 and one of said generally funnel-shaped elements 86 project. A guard in the form of a generally semi-circular shaped'wire screen 100 extends between and is affixed to the two walls 94 and 96.

Mounted on wall 94 are two drive motors 102 which are positioned with the longitudinal axes of the drive shafts thereof angled with respect to the horizontal and lying in a single generally vertical plane. Similarly, three drive motors 102 are mounted in like fashion on wall 96 as shown. The drive motors 102 are conventional electric motors and will not be described in detail. Suffice it to say, however, that it is preferred the drive motors 102 each be independently driven with respect to one another and be capable of being adjusted for operations at varying speeds. It will be appreciated that electrical motor constructions of this nature are generally commercially available. Each of the drive motors 102 has a sheave 104 connected to the drive shaft thereof. It should be noted that the motors 102 mounted on wall 94 are positioned with the drive sheaves thereof disposed at a 45 angle with respect to the horizontal and at a angle with respect to one another. Slots 106 are formed in wall 94 in a position and an attitude corresponding to that of the two sheaves 104. Similarly, motors 102 mounted on wall 96 occupy different positions and attitudes with respect to the wall and to one another. It will be noted that the sheaves 104 associated with two of the motors on wall 96 occupy a generally horizontal plane. The remaining motor mounted on wall 96 is positioned with its associated sheave 104 in a generally vertical plane in the manner shown. Wall 96 also has slots 106 formed therein which correspond to the position and attitude of the cooperating sheaves 104.

Each of the motors 102 is adapted to rotate one of five rotary blades which are disposed between walls 94 and 96 and within wire guard screen 100. These five knife blades are designated by means of reference numerals 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 (FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8). Two of the knife blades, i.e., blades 108 and 116, are disposed in a generally horizontal plane. Blade 112 is disposed in a generally vertical plane and blades 110 and 114 occupy intermediate angular positions disposed on either side of knife blade 112. The blades, therefore, are disposed in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from a central axis which is substantially in alignment with the central longitudinal axes of funnel-shaped elements 86 and the conveyor belt 66 associated therewith.

The manner in which knife blades 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 are mounted between walls 94 and 96 is identical. For this reason, only the mounting and related structure associated with one of said knife blades, i.e., blade 112, will be described in detail. For this purpose reference should be had to FIGS. 9 and 10.

To impart structural stability to the knife blades, each has disposed on either side thereof centrally disposed support plates 118 and 120. In FIGS. 9 and knife blade 112 and its associated support plates 118 and 120 are shown affixed to a centrally disposed shaft 122 which is journalled for rotary movement within a bearing assembly 124. Bearing assembly 124 is mounted within an elongated aperture 126 formed in a carrier beam 128 which has a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to the plane occupied by the knife blade 112. Movement of bearing assembly 124 relative to carrier beam 128 is effected by means of an adjustment screw 130 which is threadably engaged with an internally threaded element 132 secured in position relative to the carrier beam 128 by means of a bracket member 134 affixed therebetween. Adjustment screw 130 is journalled to bearing assembly 124 so that rotation of the adjustment screw relative to element 132 and the bearing assembly will move the assembly toward or away from the element 132 within elongated aperture At the ends thereof carrier beam 128 is affixed to mounting plates 136 which are in abutting engagement with walls 94 and 96, respectively. The mounting plates are secured to their respective walls by means of a pair of angular adjustment eccentric bolts 138 which pass through non-aligned apertures formed in the mounting plates and the walls. It will be appreciated that by effecting rotational movement of the eccentric bolts 138 the angular disposition of the mounting plates, and hence carrier beam 128 and knife blade 112, relative to the walls may be accomplished.

As may best be seen with reference to FIG. 10, the apertures 142 of the mounting plates through which eccentric bolts 138 project are in the general form of a key hole slot so that the mounting plates may be moved vertically relative to the walls with which they are associated. To effect such movement a vertical adjustment bolt 144 is threadedly engaged with a lip 146 formed on each mounting plate. The bottom of each vertical adjustment bolt 144 is in abutting engagement with its associated wall. To provide vertical adjustment therebetween, angular adjustment eccentric bolts 138 are loosened and vertical adjustment bolt 144 is turned to either raise or lower the mounting plate relative to the wall. The desired angular adjustment is then made through manipulation of the eccentric bolts and said eccentric bolts are tightened. Movement of rotary knife blade 112 toward one wall or another is effected through previously described adjustment screw 130. It will thus be seen that the knife blade attitude may be adjusted along two planes disposed with respect to one another and angularly as well. It will be appreciated that a similar mounting and adjustment mechanism is provided for each of the other blades employed in the apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention with the only difference being the general angular disposition between the blades as previously described.

A drive pulley 150 (FIG. 2) is secured to the drive shaft of each knife blade with a drive belt 152 extending between each drive pulley and a sheave 104 which is in substantial alignment therewith. The drive belts 152 pass through walls 94 and 96 via slots 106. In FIG. 2 in the interest of simplicity this drive arrangement is shown in detail only with respect to blade 112. Each of said knife blades comprises a central circular plate having a plurality of teeth projecting outwardly therefrom. Each of the teeth 160 has a raised curved fruit engaging surface 162 having serrations 164 formed therein. In FIG. 9 representative blade 112 shows these features in detail.

One of the important aspects of the present invention is the ability of the knife blades to be rotated independently by their own associated motors. It has been found that particularly desirable results may be attained by rotating a predetermined number of said blades so that the fruit engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of the fruit halves as they are being transported. A lesser number of said blades are rotated so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a generally opposite direction. In addition, the rotational speed of the blades may be varied with respect to one another to obtain desired cutting characteristics. More specifically, the motors 102 associated with blades 108, 110, 114 and 116 move said blades so that the fruit engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of the fruit halves through the mechanism. Blade 112, on the other hand, is rotated in an opposite direction. This movement is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8.

As may best be seen with reference to these latter Figures and to FIGS. 1 and 2, blades 108 and 116 are disposed in a generally horizontal plane substantially equal to that occupied by the upper run of conveyor 66. As the fruit halves move off the conveyor and out of the narrow opening defined between the conveyor and the innermost funnel-shaped element 86, the halves are serially deposited on top of blades 108 and 116. Since blade 108 is moving in a generally anti-clockwise direction and blade 116 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, frictional engagement between these blades and the fruit halves conveys the fruit to the right as viewed in that figure. This movement brings the fruit halves into engagement with the cutting teeth of rotating blades 110, 112 and 114 so that slicing of the fruit halves is effected. In practice, it has been found desirable to rotate blades 108 and 116 at a lesser angular speed than that at which the rest of the blades are rotated. Such an arrangement normally insures a better cut of the fruit.

A better cut'is also insured by virtue of the fact that vertically disposed blade 1 12 is rotating so that the fruit engaging portion thereof is moving in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the fruit half as it is being cut. Such an arrangement tends to slow the fruit half down during the cutting operation and by controlling the various knife blade speeds the length of out time can be controlled. After passing through the cutting area the fruit slices are discharged into a suitable chute 166 whereupon suitable packaging operations may be performed.

It will be appreciated that it will occasionally be necessary or desirable to change the attitude or disposition of the blades relative to one another and to the path of motion of the fruit halves to accommodate different sized fruit and/or vary the slice size. With the arrangement of the present invention such adjustments may be readily made. For example, it will be appreciated that the generally horizontally disposed blades 108 and 116 may be adjusted to either provide a slice or no slice.

Although a single embodiment has been illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the sub-joined claims.

It is to be pointed out that all the blades can be rotated in either direction if desired and/or needed. The blades can also be rotated at different speeds in the same direction to lengthen the cut time. Also, various combinations of both an even number and an odd number of blades may be employed. In the event that an even number of blades are to be used, the center vertical blade 112 would not be used.

Iclaim as my invention:

1. In combination, feeding means for serially feeding a plurality of peach halves to a predetermined first location, slicing means at said first location for cutting each of said peach halves into a plurality of slices, said slicing means comprising a plurality of rotary blades lying in angularly offset planes radiating generally out- "wardly from said first location, said blades being adapted to engage said peach halves and transport said halves from said first location to a second location while said halves are being cut, and prime mover means adapted to rotate a predetermined number of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of said peach halves as they are transported from said first location to said second location and adapted to rotate a lesser number of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a generally opposite direction.

2. In a peach sheet, a framework, a plurality of rotary blades mounted on said framework, said blades being disposed in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from a central axis, and prime mover means for imparting rotational movement to said rotary blades, at least some of said blades being adapted to serially engage peach halves during rotational movement thereof to out said halves into slices, said blades collaborating to effect movement of said peach halves along a predetermined path generally corresponding to said axis while said halves are being cut, said prime mover means comprising a plurality of motors mounted on said framework, each of said motors being drivingly coupled to one of said rotary blades to selectively effect rotational movement thereof.

3. In a peach slicer, a framework, a plurality of rotary blades mounted on said framework for independent rotational movement, said blades being disposed in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from a central axis and comprising at least one side blade lying in a plane disposed at less than with respect to the vertical and one bottom blade lying in a generally horizontal plane, and prime mover means adapted to rotate some of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of said peach halves along said path and to rotate at least one other of said blades so that the peach engaging portion thereof moves in a generally opposite direction, said blades thereby collaborating to effect movement of said peach halves along a predetermined path generally corresponding to said axis while said halves are being cut.

4. The invention of claim 3, said side blades having a greater angular speed of rotation than the angular speed of rotation of said bottom blades.

5. In a peach slicer, a framework, a plurality of rotary blades mounted on said framework, said blades being disposed in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from a central axis, prime mover means for imparting rotational movement to said rotary blades, and selectively adjustable mounting means for each of said blades comprising at least one mounting plate mounted on said framework for both angular and linear movement relative thereto, a carrier beam secured to said mounting plate and having an elongated aperture formed therein, a knife blade bearing assembly having a blade rotatably secured thereto mounted'for movement within said elongated aperture, first adjustment means for selectively effecting relative angular movement between said mounting plate'and said framework, second adjustment means for selectively effecting relative linear movement between said mounting plate and said framework, and third adjustment means for selectively efiecting movement of said bearing assembly within said elongated aperture.

' a a: It a: 

1. In combination, feeding means for serially feeding a plurality of peach halves to a predetermined first location, slicing means at said first location for cutting each of said peach halves into a plurality of slices, said slicing means comprising a plurality of rotary blades lying in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from said first location, said blades being adapted to engage said peach halves and transport said halves from said first location to a second location while said halves are being cut, and prime mover means adapted to rotate a predetermined number of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of said peach halves as they are transported from said first location to said second location and adapted to rotate a lesser number of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a generally opposite direction.
 1. In combination, feeding means for serially feeding a plurality of peach halves to a predetermined first location, slicing means at said first location for cutting each of said peach halves into a plurality of slices, said slicing means comprising a plurality of rotary blades lying in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from said first location, said blades being adapted to engage said peach halves and transport said halves from said first location to a second location while said halves are being cut, and prime mover means adapted to rotate a predetermined number of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of said peach halves as they are transported from said first location to said second location and adapted to rotate a lesser number of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a generally opposite direction.
 2. In a peach slicer, a framework, a plurality of rotary blades mounted on said framework, said blades being disposed in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from a central axis, and prime mover means for imparting rotational movement to said rotary blades, at least some of said blades being adapted to serially engage peach halves during rotational movement thereof to cut said halves into slices, said blades collaborating to effect movement of said peach halves along a predetermined path generally corresponding to said axis while said halves are being cut, said prime mover means comprising a plurality of motors mounted on said framework, each of said motors being drivingly coupled to one of said rotary blades to selectively effect rotational movement thereof.
 3. In a peach slicer, a framework, a plurality of rotary blades mounted on said framework for independent rotational movement, said blades being disposed in angularly offset planes radiating generally outwardly from a central axis and comprising at least one side blade lying in a plane disposed at less than 90* with respect to the vertical and one bottom blade lying in a generally horizontal plane, and prime mover means adapted to rotate some of said blades so that the peach engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally corresponding to the direction of movement of said peach halves along said path and to rotate at least one other of said blades so that the peach engaging portion thereof moves in a generally opposite direction, said blades thereby collaborating to effect movement of said peach halves along a predetermined path generally corresponding to said axis while said halves are being cut.
 4. The invention of claim 3, said side blades having a greater angular speed of rotation than the angular speed of rotation of said bottom blades. 